The road to Leith Hill School... an interview with Headteacher, James McInerney

Q: Can you tell us a little about your journey into education — did you always want to be a teacher?

I always loved science throughout school, but it was during my A-levels when Alan Brinded made me see just how exciting and revolutionary Biology can be. It wasn’t just me, all my peers looked forward to those lessons, no one was ever late, people came in even if feeling unwell - you just didn’t want to miss something extraordinary or another amazing anecdote! 

That changed my life and as I completed my degree, thoughts of those times drove me to pursue a career in teaching, hoping I can be someone else’s Alan.

Q: What values or principles are most important to you as a school leader?

I think the most important traits a leader can have are humility, empathy and resilience. It’s okay not to know something. It’s okay to ask for help, to seek support from your team. It is the knowledge that as a team you can come together, sharing skills and talents to work towards a common goal. 

Our goal will be to provide the best opportunities we can to help our pupils feel happy and safe, so they can develop into the best version of themselves. With the right guidance, we will help them experience a happy and successful life.  

Q: What inspired you to take on the role of Headteacher at Leith Hill School?

Ever since I made the decision to move from mainstream education to special education I have never looked back. It is truly incredible the difference that can be made to young people’s lives in Special education. What I really wanted for my first headship was the chance to build a school where a life of social inclusion was a potential goal for all our pupils and this is what drew me to Leith Hill School and Cavendish Education. The cohort of pupils that Leith Hill was designed for and the principles of Cavendish match my vision perfectly. I can’t wait to see the success our alumni will celebrate!

Q: What is your vision for Leith Hill School in the years ahead?

I want Leith Hill to be a place where pupils experience happiness and success. A school where the work of staff, pupils and parents and carers comes together to help our pupils realise the very best versions of themselves - allowing them to go into the world with the tools to experience joy and happiness in their personal and professional lives.

I look forward to being able to invite our future alumni back, to talk about the successes they have had, inspiring our cohorts of the future with real and relatable stories of inclusion.

Q: How will you support students with a range of learning differences at Leith Hill?

Every member of staff is determined to ensure that our pupils experience the best educational experience possible and that means all opportunities are tailored to bring the best out of them as individuals, but at the same time themed and sequenced in such a way that all the pupils in the class can make sustained progress, together.

Q: How do you plan to ensure that both academic progress and personal development are prioritised?

We will prioritise, because each and every member of the Leith Hill staff team knows that a successful life for our young people hinges on us supporting their development in both areas. 

Q: What do you think pupils and families can expect from Leith Hill under your leadership?

Leith Hill School will be a place where young people feel safe enough to be happy, to take risks and, in doing so, experience success. We believe in the parent - pupil - school partnership and will celebrate each and every success together, as well as navigate the more challenging times together also. 

We have the ‘ship’ to put in partnership…. (pun alert! We have a pirate ship in the playground!) 

Q: What role will the local community and partnerships play in the life of the school?

I was incredibly excited to invite the local community to Leith Hill. Ever since the closure of the school which occupied the site previously, the community had expressed their desire for the site to remain as a school so sharing that it will, and that it will support some of the most vulnerable pupils in Surrey, inspired them to want to help. We very much look forward to building close ties with our warm and welcoming local communities.

Q: How do you see technology shaping the future of learning at Leith Hill?

A friend of mine, who was diagnosed AuDHD just two years ago, struggled through education and early work until one Christmas he was given a book about coding. Fast forward 20 years, he now codes AI for self-driving cars, earns a six figure salary, and his ability to hyperfocus has given him the edge over his competitors.

Technology can change outcomes for everyone and I am determined that everyone at Leith Hill experiences as wide a breadth of technology to support them in an ever changing world. We will develop experiences that will help employability, even if these are ahead of what formal qualifications can offer, because in some industries, it isn’t all about the paperwork you have.

Q: What does a great day at school look like for you?

Any day - where pupils can find a reason to smile, a moment to laugh and enjoy an experience to feel proud of - is a great day at school for me.

Q: What do you enjoy doing when you’re not at school?

I watch anime and films. I enjoy reading books, graphic novels and manga. 

I have been a fan of punk and metal music since I was a teenager and still like to listen to it and go see live music. I imagine my highlight of the summer will be going to see one of my favourite childhood bands - Snot (because all the good names were taken - Lynn Strait).

Q: If you could have dinner with any historical or fictional figure, who would it be and why?

I would have dinner with Akira Toriyama, the creator of Dragonball, the series which first introduced me to the wonderful world of manga and anime. Mediums which have made me laugh, cry and cheer over the years. 

Q: What's the best piece of advice you’ve ever received — or one you often find yourself giving?

A quote from one of my favourite films and certainly one of the most hardhitting, gritty and thought provoking movies I have ever seen, left me stuck in reflection due to this quote:

‘Has anything you've done made your life better?’

I think reflecting on this at the end of the day can really help bring perspective and help refocus on what is important